Curs Lb. - Engleza

Curs de limba englez Popa Gabriela

CURSde

LIMBA ENGLEZ

Lector dr. Gabriela POPA

Cadrul general i obiectivele cursului


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Cursul de limba englez, nivel intermediar, i propune s dea studenilorcare urmeaz cursurile Facultii de Stiinte Economice, specializarile Marketing siManagement n sistemul nvmnt Deschis la Distan (IDD) posibilitatea de anva i exersa situaii comunicaionale i terminologia specific, de la foartesimplu la complex.

Fiecare tem (paisprezece la numar) este conceput n mai multe pri, deaproximativ aceeai mrime i importan n structura general. In prima parte atemei li se prezinta studentilor un text tematic, ce urmrete familiarizareaacestora cu o anumit terminologie, terminologie ce va fi ulterior insuita de ctreacetia. Pentru o mai uoara familiarizare cu termenii specifici, fiecare lecie esteprevzut cu exerciii de vocabular, pe care studenii le vor rezolva in timpulseminarului, individual sau in grup. A doua structur cuprinde scheme de baz dingramatica limbii engleze, ncepnd cu verbul, cel mai important i mai dificilsubiect de discutat; fiecare problem este exemplificat cu exerciii i traducericare vor ajuta studenii s neleag mai bine partea teoretic.Aceast structur,intitulat Grammar Session conine explicaii gramaticale gradate, iar exerciiilece o urmeaz sunt variate, respectand principiile didactice fundamentale de lasimplu la complex.

Partea a treia conine texte suplimentare n care apar noiuni ntlnite ncelelalte cursuri ce vor fi studiate n facultate, texte adaptate dup autorii clasici ndomeniu despre componentele comunicrii, relaii publice, creare de imagine,structura organizaiei, imaginea comercial marketing; astfel, studenii vor nvacum se exprim aceste noiuni n limba englez, pentru a putea face comparaia cutermenii romneti.

Structura cursului

Unit One: Education and Careers; Present Tense Simple and ContinuousUnit Two: Holidays; Past Tense Siple and ContinuousUnit Three: Public InstitutionsUnit Four: Transition; Present Perfect Tense Simple and ContinuousUnit Five: Protecting the Environment; Past Perfect Tense Simple and

ContinuousUnit Six: The Present Business Climate in the USA; Conditional SentencesUnit Seven: Freedom of the Press in the USA; Direct and Indirect SpeechUnit Eight: The Image of a Product; Phrasal VerbsUnit Nine: Searching for a Job; Modal VerbsUnit Ten: BroadcastingUnit Eleven: Marketing; Do and Make comparedUnit Twelve: Communication; Passive VoiceUnit Thirteen: The Organization; Phrasal verbsUnit Fourteen: Public Relations; Infinitive and Gerund

UNIT ONE EDUCATION AND CAREERSREADING Part A SCHOOLS


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In most countries of the world every child must attend school betweencertain ages. Compulsory education may extend over four, eight or ten years, fromthe age of five, six or seven to the age of fourteen, fifteen or sixteen. All childrenbegin their education in a primary school, most of them move to a secondaryschool and some continue their studies in universities and colleges.

Some countries often have separate schools for boys and girls, but thereare also co-educational schools or mixed schools for boys and girls together.Some are day schools but others are boarding schools. The pupils of day schoolslive at home, but the pupils of boarding schools live in hostels at their schools.They go home only for the holidays.

In all schools there are facilities for the study of science as well as Artssubjects. The schools have well-equipped science laboratories. In these, studentscan study Physics, Chemistry and Biology. There are also classes in practicalsubjects like Woodwork and Metalwork and, for the girls, Domestic Science.

An important part of a school is the library for the use of the students. Ithas many books of any kinds, such as encyclopaedias, dictionaries and otherworks of reference, as well as fiction, newspapers, and magazines for generalreading.

All schools try to provide large school playgrounds or playing fields wherestudents can play games.

A. BASIC VOCABULARY

to attend = a frecventacompulsory education = educatie obligatorieprimary school = scoala/ciclul primar(a)secondary school = gimnaziuco-educational school = scoala mixtaday school = scoala cu cursuri de ziboarding school = scoala cu internathostel = camin studentescfacilities = conditiipractical classes/subjects = lucrari practicewoodwork = tamplariemetalwork = prelucrarea metalelorDomestic science = gospodarieLibrary = bibliotecato provide = a furniza, a asigura

B. VOCABULARY PRACTICE

Read and translate the text into Romanian.

C. TASKS

Answer the following questions:

1. What is compulsory education? Why is school compulsory in mostcountries of the world?

2. What age do children in Romanian start school at? Is this the best age tostart, in your opinion? Why or Why not?


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3. Whats the difference between separate and co-educational schools?Which of them do you consider better? Why?

4. What is a day school? What about a boarding school? Who generallyattends boarding schools?

5. Why are schools provided with science laboratories?What is the importance of practical subjects?

6. Are school libraries useful? Why? What sort of books can you find in aschool library?

7. What is the importance of practical subjects?8. What are out-of school activities? Name some of the values of these

activities.

Act out the following situations:

1. Tommorow it will be little Janes first day at school. On the eve of thisimportant event, her parents have a very serious talk about all the aspects thatshould be taken into consideration for her education (her getting accustomed tothe new school environment, mental growth, sports etc).

2. Mikes father has been asked by the headmaster to come to schoolbecause of his sons unusual behaviour: bad marks, rude behaviour, lots of missedclasses. Act out the talk between headmaster and father as to the causes of Mikesbehaviour and the steps to be taken.

3. Next year George and Dick are going to take an entrance examination atthe university. Imagine a talk between them about their plans and the reason thathave detrmined their choice.

4. Talk between pupils and form-teacher about careers to be chosen.5. A British visitor asks about the Romanian system of education. Point

out the characteristic features (free-of-charge, all-round education, qualificationfor a practical job etc.).

6. Talk between mother and father about the necessity of sending theirlittle child to the kindergarten.

Extra vocabulary

Further education is a broad term used to cover education beyond thesecondary stage; it includes much vocational, non-vocational and recreationalevening classes and adult education. Further education advanced coursesconstitute one of the three sectors of higher education.

In Britain there are about 700 major establishments of further educationincluding politechnics, technical colleges, colleges of commerce, colleges of artand a number of agricultural establishments. The courses provided are full-time,sandwich (up to five years in length, generally consisting of alternate periods ofabout six months of full-time study in a technical college and supervisedexperience in industry), and other types of part-time courses.

Adult education is generally taken to mean courses of non-vocationaleducation for people over 18. Most of it is on a part-time basis mainly in eveninginstitutes (day schools used by adults in the evening) and also in colleges offurther education, schools of art, adult education centres, community centres,literary institutes and youth clubs. Many of the courses are practical, but there arewidespread opportunities for academic study.

( Britain 1974: An Official Handbook)


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D. GRAMMAR SESSION

! Remember the uses of Present Tense Simple and ContinuousPresent Tense Simple1.Habitual actions: e.g.: She smokes. They usually go to work bybus.2.General truths:

e.g.: Washington lies on thePotomac River. Elephants dont fly.

3.Certain actions happening now: with verbs not normally used in the

continuous: e.g.: I know what you mean and Iagree with you.

in sports commentaries:e.g.: Smith catches up with theother competitors and finally wins.

in stage directions:e.g.: Susan enters the room anddraws the curtains. Presently thephone rings.

4. Quoting or reporting:e.g.: The Bible warns us not tosteal.

The sign says No parking.5. Instructions:

e.g.: Take a large baking tin andpreheat it in the oven.

6.Certain past actions:e.g.: And then the guy opens thedoor and drops dead when hediscovers that the money is gone.

7. Certain future actions:e.g.: The exhibition opens onTuesday next week.

If you do that again, I will tell yourmother.

Present Tense Continuous1. Actions happening at the momentof speaking:

e.g: Shes having an interview atthe moment.

2. Temporary actions extended over aperiod of time:

e.g.: They are not using the backdoor in winter.

3. Definite actions planned for thenear future:

e.g.: What are you doing tonight?4. Repeated actions which are oftenannoying or unreasonable:

e.g.: I am constantly losing mykeys.

Present Tense SimpleFORMSAffirmative: N/P + V (3rd person singular getss or esat the

verb)Negative: N/P + do/does + not + VInterogative: Do/Does + N/P + VNegative-Interogative: Dont/Doesnt + N/P + V


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Adverbials often used with the Present Tense Simple: always,often, frequently, occasionally, regularly, sometimes, from time to time, oncea/twice a day/week/month/year, three times a , seldom etc.

Present Tense ContinuousFORMSAffirmative: N/P + to be + V-ingNegative: N/P + to be + not + V-ingInterogative: To be + N/P + V-ingNegative-Interogative: To be + not + N/P + V-ingAdverbials often used with the Present Tense Continuous: now, at

the moment, right now, just now.

Part B. BRITISH UNIVERSITIES

The system of higher education in Britain includes universities,polytechnics, colleges of education and advanced courses at various colleges inthe further education system

A university usually has both faculties and departments. The mostcommon faculties are arts, law, medicine and science. The departments includeengineering, economics, commerce, agriculture and technology.

Students still have to pay fees, but local authorities give grants to moststudents whose parents cannot pay.

Students working for their first degree at a university are calledundergraduates. When they take their degree we say that they graduate and thenthey are called graduates. If they continue studying at university after they havegraduated, they are called post-graduates. In general, the first degree of Bacheloris given to the students who pass examinations at the end of three or four years ofstudy. Further study or research is required at the modern universities for the firstpost-graduate degree of Master, and at all British universities for that of Doctor.

In Britain, full-time university students (students who spend all their timestudying and have no other employment), have three terms of about ten weeks ineach year.

University teaching combines lectures given by professors, readers orlecturers, practical classes (in scientific subjects) and small group teaching inseminaries or tutorials.

Students may become members of academic societies and sport clubs andtake part in their activities. Between the university terms they have vacations (orholiday periods).

Some universities, like Oxford and Cambridge in England, are residential.This means that during the university terms the students live in a universitycollege or hostel or in lodgings chosen from an official list.

Other universities are non-residential. Some of the students at theseuniversities can live in a university hostel, but many live at home or in lodgingsand have to travel daily to their lectures.

Full-time studens are also called internal students, because they spend alot of time at university. There are also external students who cannot attend theuniversity full-time, but who are studying for its examinations. They are part-timestudents. They have to do other work during the day, usually to earn their living,and they study in the evening. In their departments of extra-mural studies, theuniversities provide courses for part-time students.


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For admission to any degree course, a student has to go in or pass aqualifying examination. In Britain there are not enough places for every secondaryschool student, so these examinations are competitive. This means that only thecandidates with the highest marks can gain admission.

A. BASIC VOCABULARY

higher education = invatamant superiorfurther education = forme de invatamant dupa terminarea scolii obligatorii,

altele decat invatamantul universitarfee = taxadegree = titlu, diploma (universitara)undergraduate = studentto graduate = a absolvigraduate = absolventpost-graduate = cursant la o forma de invatamant postuniversitarBachelors Degree = licentaMasters Degree = masterDoctors Degree = doctoratfull-time student = student la cursuri de zilecture = prelegere, curstutorial = seminar, consultatieresidential university = complex universitarlodgings = camera cu chirienon-residential university = universitatepart-time student = student la cursuri serale sau fara frecventaextra-mural studies = cursuri fara frecventato provide = a furniza, a asiguraacademic society = cerc stiintific studentescdegree course = curs pentru obtinerea diplomei (de licenta)to go in for an exam = a se prezenta la unexamento gain admission = a fi admis, a intra

B. TASKS:

a. Answer the following questions:

1. What is higher education?2. What does the system of higher education include: in Britain/in

Romania?3. What is the meaning of fees? What about grants? What can you say

about each of them in connection with the Romanian system of education?4. What are: undergraduates?graduates?Post-graduates?

A. What degrees can British/Romanian students get?B. Whats the difference between full-time and part-time students?C. How is the academic year organized in Britain/Romanian?D. What is a residential/non-residential university?E. What do departments of extra-mural studies deal with?F. How can a young person be admitted to a degree course?G. Your opinion of competitive examinations.


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b. Find one expression for the following:

1. a school for both boys and girls;2. a school where the students live except when they go home for theholidays;3. a special room in a school for practical science work;4. a university student when he first enters the university;5. a student who spends all his time studying at the university;6. university holidays;7. a student who lives in the university during the university terms;8. a qualification gained at a university;9. a place where residential students live;10. a person trying to get a university place.

c. Make up sentences using the words and phrases given below:A lecturer

A reader

A professor

A chancellor

A vice-chancellor

is

a professional academicand effective head of aBritish University.the highest academiclevel, usually head of aUniversity department.a man prominent inpublic life, nominally thehead of a BritishUniversity.a person lower in rankthan a reader who giveslectures, especially at acollege or university.a university teacher of arank immediately below aprofessor.

d. Whats the difference between:1. a nursery a nursery school;2. separate schools vocational schools;3. day-schools boarding schools;4. grammar schools secondary modern schools;5. practical skills academic study;6. full-time students part-time students;7. lectures seminaries;8. residential universities non-residential universities.

e. Talk about stages in Romanian education. Use the following:-receive an education;- start school;- attend school;- be good at ;- provide a qualification for ;- go in for an exam;


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-pass an exam;- fail an exam;-leave to school;- gain admission to ;- take courses;- study for a degree;- take a degree;- graduate from ;- take up as a career.

C. CONVERSATION PRACTICE

DialogueTalking about careersBy J. F. DE FREITAS

Bob: What are you going to take up as a career?John: Architecture. Actually, Ive already started. I began my studies last

October.Bob: What are you going to do when you finish?John: Oh, I shall go back home and practise in my country. There is a lot

of useful work to be done there buildings, schools, hospitals, homes for people.Bob: What made you decide to take up architecture as a career?John: Well, I was good at Maths and Art at school and I think I had a

certain feeling for design. My teacher encouraged me and said I had a bent forarchitecture. I suppose my personal qualities made me chose architecture, and notlanguages, for instance.

Bob: I find that some young people fail to take up a career because theyare not sure what they want to do and what career opportunities there are.

John: yes, thats true. But usually your personal quailties show up atschool, dont they? Teachers guide and encourage the young to take up the careersfor which they are best suited. There are booklets with information about thechoice of careers. Those young people should be encouraged to read thesecarefully, shouldt they?

Bob: Yes, they should.John: I myself was given a lot of encouragement and information when I

was at school. Most young people go in for special training in the trades andprofessions according to their vocation and then take up a career seriously.

1. Make up a dialog about the choice of a career, filling in Bs part:

A. What are you going to take up as a career?B. A. When are you going to start your studies?B. A. What are going to do when you finish?B. A. What made you decide to take up as a career?B. ..A. What were you good at when you were at school?B. ..A. Who guided you to take up this career?


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B. ..

2. Thick the answer you agree most or add another one if you think it isnecessary. Give your reasons.

1. Which is in your opinion the ideal age to start school at?a. 3 to 4b. 5 to 6c. 7 to 8

2. Who do you think is mainly responsible for a childs failure in school?a. the parents?b. the teachers?c. the child?

3. Do you think the teaching system should provide children with:a. all the information about the subjects taught?b. ways of learning?c. a little of everything?

4. Which of the following do you consider the basic requirement for agood teacher?a. he should know his subject well.b. children should like him.c. he should be strict with the pupils.

5. Which of the following abilities do you consider important for achildeducation:a. to play a musical instrument?b. to speak at least a foreign language?c. to learn a practical skill?

6. Which of these incentives should be used in a childs education:a. a praise?b. presents?c. promises of future rewards?

7. Which of the following reasons do you consider more important inchoosing a career:a. to meet the needs of society?b. to fulfill ones parents wishes?c. to follow ones own vocation?

3. Topics for free coversation:1. Your opinion of an ideal teacher.2. Your impression of student life.3. Career opportunities and career guidance in

Romania.4. All careers are important in the 21st century.5. Womens role in conyemporary society. All

careers are open to women nowadays.

UNIT TWO - HOLIDAYSREADING


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When applied to holidays the expressions package and all-in-price meanthat the individual costs of accomodation, transport and perhaps excursions orother activities have been carefully planned and joined together so that they maybe conveniently bought as a complete package.

Not only does this save the trouble of inquiring about each item andbooking separately, but the cost is often appreciably less than buying the sameservices bit by bit. An extra advantage with package arrangements is that cost isoften reduced for holidays outside the peak summere months.

There are many interesting package holidays available in England. Theyrange from special interest study tours or sporting holidays to a canal cruisingthrough the restful countryside.

The popularity of camping and caravaning has also grown over recentyears due to the appeal of a flexible holiday, combined with the provision of moreand better sites, and a wide choice of equipment. Many organized camping sitesoffer such facilities as shops, showers and laundry rooms, as well as the essentialservices. Equipment available ranges from sleeping bags, folding beds, cookingequipment, fold-up tables and chairs to tents and tent trailers.

A caravaning holiday offers the same relaxed atmosphere of camping butthe comfort of a warm caravan may induce you to try the off-season spring andautumn months when the roads are not so crowded.(Adapted from: In Britain)

A. BASIC VOCABULARY

package holiday = excursie in grup organizat, cu traseu fix, platita dinainteoff season = extra-sezonpeack month = luna de varfcamping out = drumetie, excursie, campingresort = statiuneseaside resort = statiune pe litoralhealth resort = statiune de odihna/balneo-climatericahostel = 1. camin studentesc, 2.cabana, hotel turisticboarding house = pensiune turisticaaccomodation = cazaresingle room = camera cu un patdouble room = camera cu doua paturisuit = apartamentconveniences = confortfacilities = dotarilaundry service = spalatoriearrival card = fisa, formular de sosireavailable = disponibilnagging = cicalitorto sign in = a se inregistra la venireto sign out = a se inregistra la plecareto inquire = a se informa, a se interesato vacate = a elibera, a golito charge = a pune la socoteala, a taxato overlook = a avea vedere spre/la/catreto cruise = a face o croazierato get away = a pkeca din oras


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to go on holiday = a merge/pleca in concediu/vacantathe modern love of moving around = pasiunea pentru miscare a epocii modernethe ease of travel = usurinta de a calatorithe love of solitude = dorinta de singuratatefull board = pensiune completafull up = retinut, ocupatvacant = liber


1. Talk about various ways of spending your holidays by answering thequestions which follow. Make use of some suggestions which have beenincluded to guide you.

a. What is a holiday?b. How often do people have holidays?c. Why do most peole try to get away for their holidays? Do you

think this is a characteristic of modern life? Why?- the modern love of moving around;- the ease of travel;- the need for quiet and fresh air;- the love of solitude.

d. What are the most popular places for holidays? What kind of peole islikely to go to each of these?- the seaside;- the mountains;- a health resort;- middle-aged people;- energetic young people;- sick people.

e. What kind of people plan their holidays so as to boast about themafterwards? What kind of holidays do they usually plan?

f. What are the advantages of going on holiday during the off-seasonmonths?

g. Why is camping such a popular form of holiday?- flexible holiday;- relaxed atmosphere;- ease of moving around.

h. Name several types of accomodation. Describe each of them; speakabout their advantages and disadvantages. Which would you choose? Why?Choose between the following:

a hotel; a motel; a boarding-house;a hostel; a holiday camp; a camping site;a guest-house; an inn; a chalet.

i. Which of the following conveniences do you cosider most important in ahotel? Name them in order of their importance.

cold and hot running water;laundry service;telephone;central heating;air-conditioning;


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lift.

C. GRAMMAR SESSION

! Remember the uses of Past Tense Simple and Continuous

Past Tense Simple1. Actions completed at a definite pointin the past (when the time is given): e.g.: Mr. Brown retired last year.2. Actions completed at a definite pointin the past which is not given butimplied or understood as past time: e.g.: The train was two hours late.3. Actions that occupied a period oftime in the past: e.g.: She worked as his personalsecretary from June to December.4. Habitual past actions: e.g.: They always complined abouteverything.5. Suppositions (Conditional II): e.g.: If he had a little more couragehe would ask for a rise.6. Special uses: e.g.: I wish I knew her name.

If only we had a little timeleft!They talk as if they wanted torule the world.Its high time they retired.Id rather you drove tonight; Ifeel like sleeping then.

Past Tense Continuous1. Actions that were in progress at agiven moment in the past: e.g.: At five a clock we weretalking about the rapid development ofthe company.2. Continuous activities during adefinite period in the past: e.g.: They were quarelling all lastnight.3. Parallel continuous actions in thepast: e.g.: Tom was making a phone callwhile Mrs. Smith was makingarrangements for the teams departure.4. Definite future arrangements made inthe past: e.g.: They declined my invitationbecause they were leaving for Londonthe next morning.5. Other uses: e.g.: I was wondering if you couldhelp me tonight.

They were alwayscomplaining about everything.I was talking to your motherabout your achievements theother day.

Past Tense SimpleFORMSAffirmative: N/P + verb 2nd form/verb+edNegative: N/P + did + not + VInterogative: Did + N/P + VNegative Interogative: Didnt + N/P + VAdverbials often used with Past Tense Simple: yesterday, last

week/month/year/summer, a few hours/minutes/days/weeks/months/yearsago, a long time ago, in 1993, at the turn of the century, in 142 BC, duringthe war, once, the other day etc.

Past Tense ContinuousFORMS


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Affirmative: N/P + was/were + V-ingNegative: N/P + was not/were not + V-ingInterogative: Was/were + N/P + V-ingNegative Interogative: Wasnt/werent + N/P + V-ing

D. EXERCISES

1. Tick the answer you agree with most. Explain your choice.

The reason for choosing a place to go on a holiday is:a. the scenery;b. the local food;c. the entertainment available;d. comfortWhich would you prefer and why:a. a long summer holiday;b. a long winter holiday;c. a combination of both.What is the thing you mostly appreciate in a hotel:a. cleanliness?b. friendliness of the staff?c. Low prices?What annoys you mostly when you are on holiday:a. bad weather?b. meeting boring and nagging people/c. bad service?Which of these reasons for tourism is the most important:a. recreation?b. meeting and understanding people?c. seeing beautiful scenery?d. learning from what you see?

2. Describe an ideal holiday for each of the following people:

a university professor;a middle-aged housewife;two pretty girls of eighteen;a farmer and his wife;a very energetic young man;a group of school pupils;a group of university students.

3. What is the difference between:

a. a motel a hotel a hostel;b. a boarding house a guest house;c. signing in signing out;d. booking a room cancelling a room;e. a single room a double room a suit;f. a garage parking space;g. a newsstand a stationary.


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4. Name the following:

a. you write your name, address and nationality in it;b. a place where hotel guets can meet visitors and friends;c. foreigners can change their money there;d. a holiday place where you can also be under medical attention;e. a holiday place where there are springs of mineral water having

medical properties;f. a holiday tour with every detail arranged in advance by travel

agents and sold at a fixed price.

5. Topics for free conversation:

a. The value of a : camping walking youth-hostelling

holiday.b. The best way to get to know a place.c. Your favourite kind of holiday.d. The tourist industry advantages and disadvantages.e. Arguments for and against package holiday.f. Describe the part of Romania that you would advise a foreign

visitor not to miss.

6. Supply empty, blank, devoid, vacant, vacuous, void:

a. The room had no furniture in it, so it was .b. The room was occupied by someone else, so it was not .c. The train was almost ,so there were lots of seats.d. What, nobody in? Is the house ?e. There has been a great increse of flats in our town lately.f. The street had been but for a man with a expression of the face.g. To be taken on an stomach.h. the box was , but the cupboard was not. There was a book there with many pages in it.i. Was the envelope ? No. it had a sheet of paper and, what is more, also a cheque in it.j. He is a fellow leading a existance, a life of sense.k. The post was still, but to him it looked and of any prospect for thefuture.l. The contract is null and .m. He made a speech of meaning and purpose.

7. Put the verbs in parantheses into the Past Simple or the Past Continuous:

a. The ship (approach) the Cape Town when the tornado (begin).b. The bomb (go) off when the president (give) the speech.c. The plane (catch) fire when it (take) off.d. Whenever I (come) to see them they always (quarrel).


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e. Tim (crash) into a street light because he (drive) too fast.f. He (peep) through the keyhole when the door suddenly (open).g. The teacher (write) something on the blackboard while the children (throw)paper balls at one another.h. She (break) down when she (hear) the news.i. The tyre (blow) up when she (drive) on a deserted country road.j. They (work) very hard when the inspector (enter).

E. CONVERSATION PRACTICE

DialogueAt a HotelReceptionist: Good evening, sir. Can I help you?Visitor: Good evening. Id like a room for two nights.Receptionist: Single or double?Visitor: Single, please.Receptionist: Have you booked the room?Visitor: No, Im afraid not. I didnt know I would be coming until this morning.Receptionist: Ill see what we have, sir. We are quite full at present. Now, let mesee yes, I can offer you a room on the sixth floor. Room 623.Visitor: has it got a private bathroom?Receptionist: No, it hasnt but there is a bathroom down the hall.Visitor: Well, I dont think I really need a private bathroom. All I want is a quietroom away from the noise of traffic. I dont sleep very well.Receptionist: This room is very quiet, sir. Its on the top floor, and it overlooks aback street.Visitor: Good. Ill have it.Receptionist: Will you sign the register, please.Visitor: What about my luggage?Receptionist: The porter will take your case uo presently. Are you here onbusiness, sir?Visitor: Partly business and partly pleasure. Oh, Id like to be called in themorning at seven oclock.Receptionist: All right, sir.

1. Complete the following dialogue with the visitors replies:

Receptionist: Good evening, sir. Can I help you?Visitor: .Receptionist: Single or double?Visitor: .Receptionist: Have you booked a room?Visitor: .Receptionist: Ill see what we have, sir. I can offer you a single room without abath, room 623.Visitor: .Receptionist: No, Im afraid not.Visitor: .Receptionist: Yes, sir, this room is very quiet. Its on the top floor.Visitor: .Receptionist: Will you sign the register, please?


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Visitor: .

2. Take the parts of different characters and act out the following situations:

a. You are the hotel manager. An important guest has just arrived and asks youabout your hotel. You tell him about available facilities.b. There are a lot of modern conveniences in the hotel, but several of them areout-of-order. Complain to the hotel manager about it.c. Its two oclock in the morning. You booked a room at a hotel two weeks agobut nobody at the reception seems to know anything about it. You are talking tothe reception clerk trying to get a room.d. Answer the questions of a British tourist about the main places of interest inyour town.e. You have stayed in an excellent hotel, where all the staff have tried to be veryhelpful but they have only got on your nerves. You are now signing out andtalking to the reception clerk.

3. Fill in the correct prepositions (or adverbs) where required.

a. The taxi with Mr. P., a foreign visitor Bucharest, rolls the curb frontthe Athenee Palace Hotel.b. A porter removes the visitors luggage the boot, and then leads the way the lounge straight the reception-desk.c. Id like a single room bath the second floor.d. Sorry, sir, but we have no vacant room the second storey this exhibition we are practically full .e. Its all right. Im not very particular the floor.f. Would you, please, fill .. your particulars the hotel register?g. Will you have all your meals ?h. Do you know a good restaurant walking distance?i. There are several good ones fiveminutes walking distance, but youd bettertry the hostel restaurant the ground-floor.j. You may have every kind soft drinks served your room exchange asmall extra charge.k. It will be done your complete satisfaction.

UNIT THREE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONSREADING The Post-Office


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The post-office has many duties and has hundreds of thousands ofofficials: postmasters who are in charge of post-offices, post-office clerck andmany postmen. It is the postman who brings many items of news to everybody,going round from house to house, and dropping the letters into our letter-boxes.

The Post-Office not only delivers and sends letters and other mail, but alsocontrols the telegraphs and telephones, issues television and radio licences andregisters them, and pays out pensions and allowances.

When you want to send a telegram ask for a telegram form at the counterand fill in it. A telegram reaches the addressee in two or three hours. The chargedepends on the number of words, so try to convey the message in a few words aspossible.

If you want to post an ordinary letter, a postcard or a small parcel, youneednt go to the post-office; you can drop it into the nearest letter-box.

In Britain these boxes are either fixed in a wall, or they are iron cylinderspainted red, called pillar-boxes, standing by the kerbstone. The time of the nextcollection is indicated on a little plate, which is changed by the postman everytime he comes to collect letters.

The letters whose receivers are unknown are either returned to the sendersor carried to the deal-letter office.

When you send a parcel, you hand it to the assistant, who weighs it on thescales. You pay according to the weight of the parcel and the clerk gives you areceipt. Then, if the parcel is lost or stolen, you can claim payment from the post-office.

Do you want to have a conversation with a friend of yours who lives inanother town? Then you make a long-distance. You either ask the operator toconnect you, or, if your friend lives in a big town you may dial the call yourself.You dial first the code number for the town that you are calling and then thenumber of the subscriber.

If you make a local call, you go into the telephone box and lift thereceiver. When you hear the dialling tone indicating that nothing is wrong on theline, dial the number you want. When you hear rapid pips, you press in the coin,and then you can speak.(Adapted)

A. BASIC VOCABULARY

postmaster = diriginte de postapost-office clerk = functionar la postaallowance = pensie, ajutor (de boala)adressee = destinatarpillar-box = cutie de scrisori (in Anglia)kerbstone = piatra de borduramail collection = ridicarea scrisorilorsender = expeditordeal-letter office = serviciul scrisorilor fara adresareceipt = chitanta, recipisato claim payment = a cere despagubirisubscriber = abonatpip = semnal intermitentto press the coin into the slot = a introduce moneda


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Answer the following questions using the vocabulary which has beenincluded to guide you.

1. What can people do at the post-office? What do you go to the post-office for?buy stamps/postcards/envelopes;send letters/telegrams/money orders/parcels;draw an old-age pension;make telephone calls;buy/renew a television/radio licence;deposit/withdraw money from the post-office bank.2. What must you do if you want to send a telegram?get a telegram form;fill in the form with capital letters.3. What details must be filled in a postal order form?the payees name and address;the senders name and address;the amount to be sent.4. How can you make a local telephone call from a public telephone-box?look up the number in the directory;pick up the receiver;drop the coin into the slot;wait for the dialling tone;dial the number;hang up the receiver.5. What conveniences does the telephone offer?6. Who uses the telephone most in your family?7. Do you prefer a party-line telephone or a private line? Why? Advantages anddisadvantages of each.8. Read the following instructions for using a call-box in Britain. Think of asimilar set of instructions for using a Romanian call-box.

TO MAKE A CALLHave money ready 5 p or 10 p.Lift receiverListen for continuous purringDial number or code and numberWhen you hear rapid pips, press in coinTo continue a dialled call put in more money during conversation or when youhear rapid pips again

C. EXERCISES

1. Match the two columns according to the comprehension passage above:

1. There are dozen of people working in a. he brings news to everybody and


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a post-office;2. The postman is one of the mostpopular officials;3. The post-office delivers and sendsletters and other mail;4. If you want to send a telegram, youfirst ask for a form;5. In Britain you may drop the lettersinto the leyyer-boxes which are fixed inthe wall;6. In cities, pillar-boxes are emptiedseveral times a day;7. In order to send a parcel you have togo to the post-office;8. It is possible to make a direct call toa big town;9. It is easy to make a local call from atelephone-box;

drops letters into our letter-box.b. the clerk weighs the parcel on thescales and then gives you the receipt.c. a postmaster, post-office clerks,many postmen.d. or you may use iron cylinderspainted red, called pillar-boxes,standing by the kerbstone.e. you first dial the code number andthen the number of the subscriber.f. you lift the receiver, hear the diallingtone, dial the number and press in thecoin.g. in villages there are only one or twocollections.h. besides, it issues TV and radiolicences and pays out pensions andallowances.h. then you fill it in and pay the chargewhich depends on the number ofwords.S

2. Express the following in one or two words.

a. a list of names of people in alphabetical order with their addresses andtelephone numbers;b. the part of the telephone you lift to your ear, and also speak into;c. short-distance calls of up to about twenty miles;d. telephone calls over longer distances;e. the man in charge of a post-office;f. the man who brings letters to your houses;g. the person who puts you through when you make a trunk-call;h. a box where letters are posted;i. the person you send your letters to;j. the narrow opening in a public telephone where you drop the coin;k. the sound which tells you the telephone can be used;a form sending money by post.

3. Choose from column B the sentences that are connected with those in columnA

Column A Column B1. Im sorry. Im quite busy right now.2. My wife isnt in .3. Hallo. This is Ann speaking.4. May I use your telephone?5. Hold on, please!6. Hold the line!

a. Can you leave a message?b. Can I speak to Mary?c. Ill ring you back later.d. Mine is out of order.e. Ill put you through in a momentf. Ill be back in a moment

A. CONVERSATION PRACTICEDialogueAt the Post-Office


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In England there are Post-Offices and Sub-Post-Offices. The latter are veryinteresting places, because they are shops as well in small villages they may bethe only shop!

The postmistress: Hello, Mrs Murphy! What can we do for you?Mrs Murphy: Ive come to collect my old-age pension for two weeks, if I

may.Postmistress: Oh, yes, off to see your daughter, are you?Mrs Murphy: Thats right oh and you can give me a couple of 8 p

stamps, too.Postmistress: There you are, theres your change. Ah, Mr Grosvenor, what

can I do for you?Mr Grosvenor: Ive got these important papers to send to London.Postmistress: Do you want them registered or sent recorded delivery?

Lets see how big are thet? Well, theyll have to go recorded delivery, because wedont do registered parcels any more. Fill in the name and address on there. ThenIll stamp it and there we are.

Mrs Barclay: Can you tell me how much these letters will cost? Theresone for my son in Sweden. Should I send it by air or by sea?

Postmistress: All letters go to Europe by air. Yes, and what else?Mrs Barclay: This one to London.Postmistress: First or second class?Mrs Barclay: Oh, make it second class, its not urgent.Mrs Barclay: Theres your change. Thank you.

1. Fill in the blanks with possible questions or answers:

Postmistress: Hello, Mrs Murphy! What can I do for you?Mrs Murphy: old-age pension Postmistress: Your pension? Well, here it is.Mrs Murphy: 8 p stamps Postmistress: There you are; theres your change.Mr Grosvenor: important papers Postmistress: All right. Ill send them by recorded delivery.Mrs Barclay: lettersPostmistress: All letters go to Europe by air. Anything else?Mrs Barclay: London.Postmistress: first or second class?Mrs Barclay: not urgent.Postmistress: Heres your change, thank you.

2. Topics for free conversation:

a. Work in a post-office.b. A postmans working day.c. Your experience in making a long-distance call.d. Advantages and disadvantages of having a telephone at home.e. Reasons for sending letters/postcards to people.f. The role of registered post.

UNIT FOUR - TRANSITIONREADING


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The transition from a command to a market economy is themovement towards a new system for the generation and allocation ofresources. It involves the change and creation of institutions, includingenterprises and legal structures. Stabilisation policy, on the other hand,aims to achieve a low and pradictable rate of inflation and to preventunnecessary fluctuations in output and employment through the use offiscal and monetary policy instruments. These concepts differ from theconcept of economic development, which refers to the enhancement of thestandard of living of individuals.

The economics of Eastern Europe have been transformed lately.Market-oriented systems have replaced the old command economies. Inmost countries of the region, more than half of GDP is now generated bythe private sector. The governments in the bulk of the region havecomprehensively liberalised prices, external trade and currencyarrangements, and privatised small-scale economic units. It has provedessential that these should have been the first areas of change. Many havealso privatised a substantial share of their larger enterprises.

Most of the governments and central banks in Eastern Europebegan the implementation of tight fiscal and monetary policies between1989 and 1991, alongside comprehensive price and trade liberalisation andremoval of restrictions on entry for new companies. Eastern governmentsunderstood that it was necessary that theu should adopt these measureswhich forced enterprises to adjust both to new competition and to a verysubstantial reduction in their access to subsidised finance from statebudgets and banks.

All transition countries also still face other substantial challengesof reform for example, in the areas of banking supervision, thedevelopment of banking skills, capital market development, competitionpolicy, labour market regulation, social security, secured transactions andbroad areas of the legal structure. The ownership transformation has insome placed been focused on industry and services, while leaving theorganisational structure in agriculture largely unchanged. Some key prices,notably those for energy and housing, are still centrally controlled in manycountries at levels that fail to cover production costs (in the case of energy)or clear the market (in the case of housing).

A. BASIC VOCABULARY

transition = tranzitieto achieve = a realizapredictable = previzibilto prevent = a impiedicaemployment = angajare, ocuparea locurilor de muncaenhancement = marire, sporire, intensificarebulk = majoritatecurrency arrangements = masuri/aranjamente valutareshare(s) = actiune(i)to adjust = a regla, a potrivi, a pune in ordinesubsidised finance = finante subventionateownership = 1. proprietate, posesiune,2. drept de proprietate


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B. VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT

In the text you find the following sentence:All transition countries also still face other substantial challenges

of reform for example, in the areas of banking supervision, [], capitalmarket development, [], social security,.

Nouns can be formed from adjectives, using these suffixes: -ence, -ity, -y, -ness, -ment + some important exceptions.

TaskForm nouns from these adjectives:

a. intelligentb. astonishedc. familiard. happye. fascinatedf. generousg. amusedh. patienti. friendlyj. satisfiedk. cofidentl. equalm. dissapointedn. clevero. depressedp. selfishq. stupid

The following are exception to the rule. Write the nouns derivedfrom these adjectives:

a. strongb. wisec. boredd. hungrye. thirstyf. proudg. delightedh. experti. highj. diplomatick. hypocritical

C. GRAMMAR SESSION

Adverbs as modifiers


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in the bulk of the region have comprehensively liberalised prices.Some key prices, are still centrally controlled in many countries.

We distinguish between eight kinds of adverbs:1. Adverbs of manner, e.g.: carefully, easily, quickly, quietly etc.2. Adverbs of place, e.g.: above, abroad, here, there etc.3. Adverbs of time, e.g.: soon, now, still, before, after etc.4. Adverbs of frequency, e.g.: always, never, ever, often, once etc.5. Adverbs of degree, e.g.: completely, extremely, quite, very etc.6. Adverbs of affirmation, e.g.: certainly, indeed, obviously etc.7. Interrogative adverbs, e.g.: how, when, where, why etc.8. Relative adverbs, e.g.: how, when, where, why etc. (Identical in form with

interrogative adverbs but used to introduce a dependent clause, e.g.: Thisis the village where we spend our summer vacation).

Adverbs may modify:1. Verbs, e.g.: He examined the papaers carefully.2. Adjectives, e.g.: This task seems to be extremely difficult.3. Adverbs, e.g.: They solved the problem very quickly.4. Phrases, e.g.: Her answers were not always to the point.5. Complete sentences, e.g.: Obviously, she didnt like his way of talking.

! Remember the uses of Present Perfect Tense Simple and Continuous

Present Perfect Tense Simple1. Recently completed actions: e.g.: The economies of easterncountries have been transformed recently.

Im afraid the manager has just goneout.

The transition has already begun.2. Past actions completed in an unspecifiedperiod of time. e.g.: I have understood the rules, butI dont mind reading them again.

We have met, havent we?She has written ten reports and I

have read all of them.3. Actions that extend over a period of timelasting up to the present moment.e.g.: Football has been a popular game inthe States for more 50 years.

They have been very busy with thistranslation since we left the office.

I have known him since 1992.4. Actions that have happened once or morethan once within the speakers experience.

e.g.: Tom has always likedChopin. I have never been to theOpera. Have they tried to win thecompetition before?

5. In temporal clauses the action in the

Present Perfect TenseContinuous1. Actions which began in the pastand are still continuing:

e.g. Ive been waitinghere all morning and themanager hasnt arrivedyet.Weve been using thisroad since the war.They have been goingout together for sixmonths now.

2. Actions which began in the pastand have only just finished:

e.g. Theres my pen atlast! Ive been lookingfor it since lunch.You know youve beensleeping for ten hours?


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temporal clause is completed before thepresent/future event I the main clausebegins.

e.g.: The recital will begin assoon as the audience have takentheir seats. Ill give you a call when themeeting has ended. Dont answer any questionuntil you have understood all ofthem.

Present Perfect Tense SimpleFORMSAffirmative: N/P + have/has + 3rd form of the verbNegative: N/P + have/has + not + 3rd form of the verbInterrogative: Have/has + N/P + 3rd form of theverbNegative Interrogative: Havent/hasnt + N/P + 3rd form of the verbAdverbials often used with Present Perfect Tense Simple:always, never, ever, seldom, often, rarely, occasionally, just, so far,recently, lately, today, this week, this year, this month, already, yet,for, since, as soon as etc.

Present Perfect Tense ContinuousFORMSAffirmative: N/P + have/has + been + V-ingNegative: N/P + have/has + not + been + V-ingInterrogative: Have/has + N/P + been + V-ingNegative Interrogative: Havent/hasnt + N/P + been + V-ingAdverbials often used with Present Perfect Tense Continuous: for,

since

D. TASKS

a. Find five adverbs in each of the following classes: time, place, manner,frequency, degree, affirmation.Then choose two from each class and write sentences using them.

b. Complete the following sentences with an adverb or adverbial phrase ofthe kind indicated in the brackets.

1. He was anxious about losing his seat in Parliament (degree).2. I dont agree with my colleges opinion (time).3. The senators go to London to take part in the parliamentary sessions

(frequency).4. Tom put his luggage during the ride (place).5. Mr. Hamilton is determined to finish his speech tonight (degree).6. is the meeting I was told to visit (place)?7. He could convince the voters (manner).8. , they would agree to his proposal (affirmation).


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c. Give antonyms to the following items:a. command economyb. outputc. employmentd. easterne. central banksf. changed

d. Give the nouns corresponding to the following verbs:a. to createb. to developc. to privatised. to enhancee. to financef. to competeg. to liberalise

e. Enlarge the ideas:

The transition from a command to a market economy is the movementtowards a new system for the generation and allocation of resources.It involves the change and creation of institutions, including enterprises andlegal constructions.All transition countries also still face other substantial challenges of reform.

f. Fill in the blanks with since or for:

1. The manager has worked on the new regulations five days.2. The Romanians have had a new life 1990.3. The management of this company have been abroad September, 10.4. The rate of inflation has raised substantially the beginning of the year.5. European economy has changed a long time.6. The governments have tried to adopt new measures of trade liberalisation

the beginning of the session.7. She has known her collegue 10 years.8. She has known her collegue she got the job in that company.9. The plane landed 10 minutes ago. It has been on the landing ground 10

minutes.10. Janes parents havent heard from her since she left the native town.

SUPLEMENTARY READING

All bank accounts these days are organized through computers. Everybodysbank account information right from your name to the amount of money you havegot in your account is stored in such a way that it can be easily accessed bycomputers.

The storage meadia, as it is called, varies, but mostly it is a magnetic disk,optical disk or magnetic tape. Anyone of these can srore accounts data ofthousands of people constantly being updated as the million of card holders allover the company but, they sell and save.


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This electronic banking means that money can be moved around almost atthw speed of light, through telephone wires, optical fibres, even radio rays andnot one penny of cash physycally dhanges hands. Some people say we areheading for a cashless society. If we are, the keys to unlock it will be the card. There are numerous types of cards. The most common used are debit cardsand credit cards. A debit card is a type of plastic money which allows payment to be takendirectly from your bank account. To pay for the shopping, the cashier swipes itinto an input device, the card reader, which reads the relevant bank accountdetails from the cards magnetic side and then uses these as a key toellectronically unlock your bank account and also the right amount betransferred to the shop bank account. Confirmation of the sale is output. Allthe customer has to do is to confirm with the signature which also acts as asecuriyt check. No cash changes hands. Everything is dealt with automatically.The card is all you need. Its quick, easy and people dont need to writecheques or carry too much cash. A credit card can not only let your credit card account cover for you up to,say, 500$ worth of goods, as that is your credit limit. They are a bit differentfrom debit cards though, because the money you are using is not actuallyyours. You borrow it from a credit company and pay it back at a later date.Butbecause there is a great temptation to overspend, it is really important to makesure you can afford to pay the credit company back otherwise you can end upin all sort of trouble. Credit cards are plastic cards issued to individuals, not necessarilycustomers of a bank, which have on the front the persons name, credit cardnumber, date of expiry. On the reverse of the card is the signature of theholder and the basic conditions of issues.

TASKS:

1. Give antonyms to the following constructions:a. to sellb. to unlockc. a debit cardd. to confirme. differentf. laterg. easier

2. Speak about plastic money in Romania and the way in which youthink it will develop the future. Make use of the words andexpressions suggested below:

account, customer, to withdraw, interst, loan, retailer, interest free loan, fee,drawer, cash dispenser, cashier, balance, magnetic stripe, holder, to rob, to steal,available, security, to get into debt, administrative costs, network, to increase,temptation to overspend

3. In the following lines, you are given the explanation of te differentcharacteristics of the money. Can you make out the concept corresponding toeach definition? You must try to fill in the gaps of each definition, according to


28

the meaning. Choose among these: recognisability, stability of value,divisibility, uniformity, durability, acceptability, portability

Characteristics of Moneya.Money has to be generally acceptable. Items used originally for money (gold,cattle) had intrinsec value to the people who used them. Today, money has nointrinsec value but we accept it knowing that other people will accept it from us inexchange for goods. .b. We must be confident that the money we hold today will pay for more or lessthe same amount of goods tomorrow. Of course, prices change each year (e.g.inflation) but all modern systems suffer from this. ..c. It means that one unit of money must be exactly the same as any other unit ofdenomination. If there were 2 types of, 1 coins and one was worth 10p more thanthe other, people would hold onto the more valuable one and spend the lessvaluble one. ..d. Money must last over time. People will not accept as money something whichdeteriorates over time. A 5 note lasts about a year before it is worn that it iswithdrawn. Coins can last up to 60 years..e. Money must be divisible into small units so that there is no difficulty in makingboth large and small payments without loss. Current accounts at banks can bedivided into smaller amounts by using cheques, direct debits etc. ..f. It is helpful if money is portable. Even if huge boulders had all the othercharacteristics of money, it is likely they would be used as money? Electronicpayments systems make money easily transferable without having to physicallymove large amounts of notes and coins. ..g. Money must be recognized as such; if it is not easily identificable as moneythen it is not an ideal system. ..

4. Fill in the right preposition.

.the end 1980s, the government sole weapon monetary policy was thegeneral level interest rates charged banks and building societies. The Bank England, acting behalf the Treasury, can charge banks base rate changing the rate interest which it lends as lender last resort. This is saidto be a signal all banks to change their most important rate interest theirbase rate, which is used calculate the interest charged many their loans.Their other loan rates, and the rates given deposits, will follow the samedirections but not all simultaneously. Eventually, the new interest rates affect alllending and borrowing, except transactions fixed rates interest.

5. Before any loan is granted, the following questions must be answeredby the customer: what is the purpose of the loan?, How much is required?,What is the source of repayment?, What is the length of time the loan isrequired?. Read the text below and fill in the blanks with the suitable questionfor each paragraph.a. .This is an obvious question, as the bank must know how much money thecustomer requires; at the same time the bank must be aware that whatever sum isrequired, it should not be the total requirement for the project. The customer mustbe prepared to put some of hie money at risk. The total financial risk must not bethe banks alone.


29

b. ..The purpose of the loan must be legal, moral and within the policy of thegovernment and the bank. Loans to a company must be within the companysconstitution.c. Obiviously, there must be an agreement between the bank and the customer as tohow long the money is required and whether the outstanding debt will be repairedmonthly, quarterly or whatever.d. .The answer to this question is important to the bank. Any customer must havesufficient resources to repay the bank within the stipulated agreed time not onlythe capital, but the interest as well. The sources of repayment could be fromwages, salary, dividents, an inheritance, profits, and so on. However, the bankwould not look kindly on a loan proposition where the customer stated thatrepayment would come from his winnings on the Grand National.

6. Give the English for: ordin permanent de plata, valuta, creditor, a deveniscadent, scadenta, a aloca, prag de rentabilitate, datorie publica, bilantcontabil, a lua cu imprumut, impozit, rata dobanzii de referinta, faliment.

UNIT FIVE PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENTREADING


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The Federal Surface Mining Act was passed in 1977 for the laudablepurpose of protecting the environment from the ravages of strip-mining of coal.For many years environmentalists had fought to get the bill passed. Strip-miningmenaces the habitat of wildlife and causes incalculable damage to theenvironment. The law is explicit on such matters as where strip-mining isprohibited; the disposal of toxic waste, the placement of power lines, and therights of the public to take part in the control of stip-mining.However, theSecretary of the Interior has recently incurred the wrath of environmentalists byadvocating numerous proposals that repudiate the existing law.

According to the law, strip-mining is prohibited in national forests,nationalwildlife refugies, public parks, historic places, and within a specified numbers offeet from roads, cemeteries, parks, houses, and schools. The exception to thisprohibition is stated in the words valid existing rights, refering to those miners inprotected lands before the law passed. By redefining valid existing rights,theSecretary now intends to infringe upon the law by opening over a million acres ofnational forest and wildlife refuges to strip-mining. Naturally, the NationalWildlife Federation is appaled. This new proposal does not augur well forwildlife, which will be destroyed by such latent killers as power lines and taintedponds near strip-mines.

Why is the Secretary attempting to jettison the regulations sotemptestously gained only a few years ago? He claims that mining companies arelosing money and that the new proposals would make mining more lucrative. Irateecologists repudiate that theory on the basis of a study made by the Department ofEnergy that estimates that the savings to mining companies would be less thanfive cents per ton of coal.

It doesnt require a sage to foresee the wrangle that is forthcomingbetween proponents of conservation and the Interior Department. The consensusamong environmentalists is that unless they obstruct the Secretarys newregulations, this land will be ravaged and our wildlife severely maimed by strip-mining companies for the sake of a few penniesprofit.

A. BASIC VOCABULARY

to ravage = a devasta, a pustii, a distrugeto pass a bill = a vota o legeto be appaled = a fi ingrozitto jettison = a arunca, a scapa deto maim = a mutila, a schilodito infringe upon = a incalca, a calcato foresee = a prevedea, a anicipastrip-mining =Secretary of Interior = Ministru de Interne (in SUA)wrath = furie, manieirate = enervat, iritattainted = infectat, poluat, stricatsage = inteleptwrangle = altercatie, discutie aprinsaforthcoming = 1. existent, 2. apropiat, viitor, care se apropie

B. GENERAL COMPREHENSION


31

Answer the following according to the nature of the item.

1. From the context of the article, the meaning of strip-mining isa. the mining of coal on public landsb. surface miningc. shaft miningd. illegal mining2. The Federal Surface Mining Acta. limits coal productionb. prohibits strip-miningc. restricts strip-mining to specific locationsd. menaces wildlife3. The Secretary of Interior hasa. rescinded the lawb. angered the environmentalistsc. been in office for five yearsd. destroyed wildlife

4. The Secretary of Interior plans toa. fight the environmentalistsb. break the lawc. open up public lands to strip-miningd. protect the environment5. The expression existing valid rights refers toa. mining rights in existence before 1977b. minersrights that cannot be violatedc. the right to mine coal any place in the U.S.d. the right to mine on protected lands6. Wildlife is endangered bya. coal miningb. the Secretary of the Interiorc. toxic waste in bodies of waterd. migration paths7. The proposed new regulations willa. curtail the rights of environmentalistsb. increase the area of strip-miningc. help clean up the environmentd. cost miners a lot of money8. The purpose of the new regulations is toa. create a ravaged landb. kill wildlifec. increase coal minersprofitd. anger environmentalists9. Without the present regulations on strip-mining, profits would increasea. tremendouslyb. a little bitc. not at alld. by leaps and bounds10. The main idea of this article is thata. changes in the present law would be detrimental to the environmentb. a powerful government official can change laws


32

c. environmentalists protect our landd. laws are made to be broken11. To whom this article appeals?a. government officialsb. the Presidentc. conservationistsd. weathermen

C. VOCABULARY WORK

Getting the Meaning from ContextScan the last paragraph and choose the correct answer:

1. To what does the word sage refer?a. a spiceb. a personc. an eventd. a book

2. What must a wrangle be?a. a manb. a minec. an argumentd. a wreck

3. What must a proponent be?a. an issueb. a personc. a caused. a priority

4. The word obstruct must meana. approveb. block offc. disapproved. consent

5. What must maimed mean?a. managedb. woundedc. cared ford. endangered

6. What does for the sake of mean?a. for the purpose ofb. to helpc. in spite ofd. by any means

7. The word forthcoming refers toa. a disagreementb. the past experiencec. the futured. new arrivals

D. PREFIX AND SUFFIX USAGE


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Chose the best answer:

1. The prefix pro in the word proponent meansa. professionalb. propertyc. againstd. for2. The prefix in redifining meansa. clearlyb. laterc. informallyd. again3. The sufix ist in environmentalist and ecologist indicatesa. an areab. a thingc. a persond. a time4. the prefix fore in foresee meansa. at the same timeb. beforec. in favor ofd. beside

E. VOCABULARY BUILDING

Find the correct meaning in column B for each word in column A.

Column A Column B

a. laudableb. ravagec. menaced. habitate. incalculablef. explicitg. toxich. incuri. repudiatej. infringe

1. the natural home of a plant or animal2. poisonous3. deserving praise4. to receive as a result of certain actions5. to encroach6. to threaten7. to show mercy8. very great9. to ruin and destroy10. to set a value on11. clear and fully expressed12. being expelled13. to refuse to recognize

F. RESTATING

Select the option that has the same meaning as the sentence given:

1. Miss Thomson was appalled by her students grammar.a. She thought their grammar was very good.b. She was shocked that her students grammar was so bad.c. She was thoghtful of her students grammar.d. She tried to teach them good grammar.


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2. The lack of rain augurus trouble for thr farmers.a. No rain is a sign of trouble in the future.b. Without rain nothing will grow.c. Lack of rain causes trouble for the farmers.d. Trouble comes to farmers when it rains

3. Since Einstein didnt begin to talk until he was three years old, noone realized that he was a latent genius.

a. Even though he was a genius, it wasnt noticeable because he was latein beginning to talk.

b. He talked late, so he mustnt have been a genius.c. Geniuses begin talking when they are three years old.d. No one knows when a genius will begin to talk.

4. I ended up in the hospital after eating tained fish.d. I had to go to the hospital after eating fresh fish.e. Eating poisoned fish made me exceedingly sick.f. The hospital served bad fish.g. Canned fish made me so sick that I had to go to the hospital.5. The argument grew so tempestuous that they punched each other.

a. It was a quiet argument, but they had a fist fight later.b. They had an argument in a storm and began to fight.c. The argument was so violent that they hit each other.d. The argument grew temperate when they punched each other.

G. GRAMMAR SESSION

! Remember the uses of Past Perfect Tense Simple and Continuous

Past Perfect Tense Simple1. Actions completed shortly before acertain point in the past.e.g.: I refused his cigarette because Ihad only just finished mine.2. Actions completed in an unspecifiedtime before a certain point in the past.e.g.: Tom had lost his car key so he hadto take a taxi.3. With time expressions:e.g.: She had read all his works beforeshe met him by chance one day.4. In Indirect Speech as the pastequivalent of the Present Perfecte.g.: Jill was excited because she hadnever been to circus before. (that iswhat she said)5. In Type III Coditionale.g.: If you had told me, I wouldnthave done that mistake.

Past Perfect Tense Continuous1. Actions which continued up to acertain point in the past.e.g.: He had been trying to start the carbefore the mechanic arrived.2. Actions frequently repeated.e.g.: Susan was annoyed. George hadbeen phoning her every night for awhole week.3. Drawing conclusions based on director indirect evidence.e.g.: Her eyes were red. It was obviousshe had been crying.

Past Perfect Tense Simple


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FORMS Affirmative: N/P + had + 3rd form of the verb Negative: N/P + had + not + 3rd form of the verb

Interrogative: Had + N/P + 3rd form of the verbNegative-Interrogative: Hadnt + N/P + 3rd form of the verb

Adverbials often used with Past Perfect Tense Simple: foryears/months/weeks, for ages, for a long time, since, ever since, sincebefore, before, long before, till/until, when, as soon as, by the tine,hardly/scarcely/barely when, no sooner than etc.

Past Perfect Tense ContinuousFORMSAffirmative: N/P + had + been + V-ingNegative: N/P + had + not + been + V-ingInterrogative: Had + N/P + been + V-ingNegative-Interrogative: Hadnt + N/P + been + V-ing

H. EXERCISES

1. Put the verbs in brackets into the Past Simple or the Past PerfectContinuous:

1. The baby (cry) for an hour before his mother (wake) up.2. She (fail) the exam though she (study) German for two years.3. Obviously the boys (smoke) before I (enter) because the room was full

of cigarette smoke.4. The band (play) for more than an hour before the people (start) to

throw rotten tomatoes at them.5. Although he (try) hard to memorize that poem he (be able to) even

remember the first stanza.6. Professor Evans (lecture) on socialist economy for 15 years before he

(decide) to change the subject.7. The prisoner (saw) the bars for three nights before he finally (make)

his escape.8. Ralph (work) over a math problem for two hours before his sister

(come) and (help).9. At last the experimenters (find) the vaccine they (try) to develop for

three years.10. The fresco which the artist (paint) since the previous summer (be)

ready in August of 1662.11. The diver (discover) a pirate ship that (lie) on the sea bed for two

centuries.12. I (realize) someone (use) my camera because there were finger marks

on the lens.13. Although the girl only (miss) for eight hours the parents (decide) to

call the police.14. No wonder the engine (break) down yesterday; it (ran) for 24 hours.15. We have evidence that Mrs. Scott (clean) the window shortly before

she (fall) down.

2. Translate into English:


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1. Andy a castigat primul loc la concursul de pian numai pentru ca aexersat mult.Andy in the piano competition only because .

2. Stiam ca el luase droguri din moment ce ochii ii erau mereu incetosati.I since blurred.

3. Ei ma urmareau de doua ore, asa ca m-am oprit si i-am intrebat cevoiau.They so .

4. Dupa ce l-au cautat zadarnic pe copil timp de doua saptamani,colonelul Adams a oprit cautarile.After we colonel Adams the search.

5. Soacra mea locuia la noi de 10 ani cand a murit.My when she .

6. E adevarat ca Harry a intrat ultimul, dar el nu se antrenase la fel demulti ca ceilalti.Its true but the others.

7. Tom a fumat din adolescenta pana cand doctorul Baker i-a aratat oradiografie a plamanilor sai.Tom until .

8. Bunica si-a cautat ochelarii toata ziua pana cand i-a gasit pe propriul einas.Grandma .

9. Inainte de petrecerea accidentului, turnul de control a receptionat nistesemnale ciudate timp de trei minute.Before the control tower .

10. Inainte sa descopar aceste discuri ieftine planuisem intotdeauna sacumpar niste casete de buna calitate.Before I .

3. Fill in the blanks with the propertense and then translate them intoRomanian:

1. That was the most difficult marathon I (take) ever. I (walk)already 10 kilometers and (feel) like an old dog. I wont ever forgetit!

2. We (choose) already the costumes for the Halloween when themanager (inform) me that I was to leave for France. What a piece ofill-luck! I (spend) a fortune on them, and honestly, I (miss) neverthe parties in my neighbouhood.

3. When we (get) home yesterday evening, (learn) that we (receive) a lot of messages on the ansewering machine. All the people (congratulate) us for our success but unfortunately they (notmention) the reason for. After a while my mother (call) and (tell)us that we (win) the contest. We (forget) even that my wife (send) the card!

4. Last year, the Smiths (spend) their holiday in a small caravan set upon the banks of the Danube. Everybody (know) what a tricky manMr Smith (can) be. His practical jokes (be nejoyed) by theaudience, exact the people who are the subject of them. The good partof it is that Mr Smiths pranks are never repeated, so you never knowwhat (be) the next (come).


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4. Put in the past perfect simple or progressive or the past simple. Givealternatives where possible:

Old Mr Williams was very concerned. He and his wife werepensioners and he (spend) the whole morning looking for their pensionbooks. He (look) everywhere, but he (not be able) to find them.Meanwhile, his wife (be) busy. She (cook) all morning. She (prepare) a delicious meal. She (make) soup, followed by a lovely pie,which she (bake) in the oven. Mr Williams (enjoy) always his food,but he clearly wasnt enjoying his lunch. Whats the matter, Tom?hiswife asked. Mr. Williams (have to) confess that he (lost) theirpension books. I know, Mrs Williams (say) with a twinkle in her eyes.Ive got them. Youve got them? Yes and guess where I (find)them! Mr Williams sudenlly remembered. In the oven! I (put) themthere for safe-keeping. He (smile) with relief as she (fish) them outof the apron pocket!

UNIT SIX THE PRESENT BUSINESS CLIMATE IN THE USAREADING


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Many Americans prefer to be their own bosses, and they are willing totrade security for the chance of making it. Some 10,000,000 Americans ownedtheir own businesses in 1984, and four times that nimber owned a part ofbisinesses and industries through stock. Yet, despite its own claims, America isfar from being a free enterprisemarket. Anyone trying to start a business isfaced with many regulations, restrictions, and laws from all levels of government,federal, state and local. The federal government sets laws concerning workingconditions, transportation, minimum wages, and working hours (the minimumlegal wage in 1987 was $ 3.35 per hour). Environmental protection and equalemployment laws in the United States are among the strictest in the world. Suchlaws and regulations, standards and requirements represent the greatest contrast ofthe present business climate with that of the past.

The American blue-collar worker is among the highest paid in the world,and his benefits and pensions also make him one of the most expensive. Theaverage production worker in the US earned $ 9.50 an hour in 1985, the highestwage of any production worker in the industrial West. In addition, many firms inthe United States have profit-sharing plans for their employees. Through theseagreements, employees receive a certain percentage of the profits the companymakes. Profit shares may be paid out in cash or company stock at the end of thefiscal year, or may be put into a trust fund and distributed to participants atretirement. This kind of of prfit-sharing started in the US in the early 20th century.Procter & Gamble began its profit-sharing plan in 1887, Eastman KodakCompany followed in 1912. In 1984 some 20 million Americans participated inplans to receive a share of company profits. In addition, around 82% of Americanworkers in medium sized and large firms were covered by retired pension planfrom their firms.

Recently a new trend has emerged with attempts to put employees andemployers on much the same level. In some firms all employees own a part of thecompany and do all kinds of jobs. But all share in their profits or losses as well.This arrangement seems to give great incentive to employees.

(According to American Life and Institutions, D.K.Stevenson, USIS,pp.61-63)

A. BUSINESS VOCABULARY

transition = tranzitieheavy industry = industrie greashareholder = actionarproprietorship = proprietatethe rights and duties = drepturile si obligatiilelegal agreement = contract de asociereto be extempt from = a fi exclus de la/dinliable = raspunzatorsole = unicpartnership = parteneriatto regulate = a reglementaco-owners = co-proprietariearnings = castigurioperating profit = profit din activitatea curentaprofit margin = marja de profitgross profit = profit brut


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profit and loss account = contul de profit si pierderichartered = autorizatjoint venture = asociereparent company = companie mamaknow-how = pricepere, cunoastere, dibacie (intr-o activitate anume)know-hows= secrete, metode de lucrubond = obligatiunetax deductible = scutit de impozitadditional shares = actiuni suplimentareinvoice = facturaface value = valoare nominalashipment = expediere


I. Tick the corresponding letter in the table below.

1. The most common forms of business ownership are:a. partnership corporation; sole proprietor; multi proprietors;b. sole proprietors; partnership; corporation;c. businesses; capital-intensive businesses; labour-intense

businesse.2. A sole proprietor is a business owned by , although it may have many

employees.a. a familyb. an under-aged personc. just one person

3. Control and freedom are , specific to sole proprietorship.a. an advantageb. a disadvantagec. both an advantage and a disadvantage

4. Shareholders are , of a corporation.a. the employeesb. part of the managerial staffc. the owners

5. The non-profit corporations are , profit-making institutions.a. thereforeb. notc. non

6. A partnership is a , association of two or more individuals as co-owners of a business for profit.

a. loyalb. legalc. lawyer

7. is benefit of sole proprietorships.a. Secretaryb. Secretc. Secrecy

Sentencenumber

1. 2 3 4 5 6

a

bc


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II. Fill in the blanks of the following text, choosing the missing wordsfrom those in the box:

adequate failing strategieslow price issue succesful

You should set realistic objectives for your business and developappropriate .. to achive them. These objectives must be compatible with yourpersonal ambitions and values. Most .. strategies tend to be simple andconcentrate on the businesss strenghts while building an .. defence against itsweaknesses. An over-elaborate strategy which prevents management fromconcentrating on the key issues is common .. . So too is failing to define thetrue nature of your business and its markets. For example does a manufacturer ofhome computers serve the market for personal computers or that for executivetoys?

Price strategy will be a key .. for the new business. It is surprising howoften new companies underprice their products. It is generally unwise to choose astrategy involving high volumes of .. products. In addition to the manufacturingand distribution problems which could arise, you will be vulnerable to attack froman established competitor by sustained price cutting

(From Getting Started. How to Set up Your Own Businessby David Philip, Kogan Page, 1995, p. 10)

III. Find synonims to the following words:to grow, capital, to reach, shares, income, owner, expansion.

IV. Explain the meaning of the following constructions:shareholder, capital gain, maturity, competitive market forces, gross profit,

chartered, operating profit, equipment.

C. GRAMMAR SESSION IF CLAUSES

General information about conditionalsConditions: if (then)A condition is something that has to be fulfilled before something else can

happen. If, normally meaning provided that, is sometimes followed by then.If then is not stated, it is implied:

e.g. If the rain stops, well be able to go for a walk.Conditional clauses after if are not about events that have occurred, but

about events that can or might occur or might have occurred. Sometimes theseevents are highly probable:

e.g. If the price of oil comes down, more people will buy it.Sometimes they are impossible (they did not or cannot happen):

e.g. If my horse had won, I would have made a lot of money.Conditionals are often introduced by if, but can be introduced by other

words. They can also be implied:e.g. I wouldnt (or shouldnt) go that way.


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Types of conditionals

Conditional sentences are usually divided into three basic types refered toas Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3. Each has its own variations, but the elements areas follows:

Type 1: What will you do if you lose your money?Asking/talking about something that is quite possible:

if + present + willIf I lose my money, I will look for a job.Type 2: What would you do if you lost your money?

Asking/talking about imagined situations/consequences now:if + past + wouldIf I lost my money, I would look for a job.Type 3: What would you have done if you had lost your money?

Asking/talking about imagined situations/consequences then:if + past perfect + would haveIf I had lost my money, I would have looked for a job.The conditional can be expressed with other modal verbs as well as with

shall, will, should and would:e.g. We could have had a good time (if we had had the money).

Cojunctions that are sometimes used in place of if

Conditionals can also be introduced by the following conjunctions, whichdo not always have precisely the same meaning as if: as long as, assuming (that),even if, if only, on the condition that, provided/providing that, so long as, unless,also suppose (that) and supposing (that) which normally introduce questions:

e.g. Hell definetely win, even if he falls over. Theyll lend us their flat on the condition that we look after it. Supposing (that) we miss the train, what shall we do?

Implied conditionals

Conditionals can be implied (i.e. not directly introduced by if) in avariety of ways: e.g.

Type 1:With luck, well be there by tomorrow. (= if were lucky)Given time, theyll probably agree. (= if we give them time)

Type 2:To hear him talk, youd think he was the Prime Minister. (= if

you could hear him talk)I would write to her, but I dont know her address. (= if I knew

her address)Type 3:

Without your help, I couldnt have done it. (= if you hadnthelped)

In different circumstances, I would have said yes. (= ifcircumstances had been different)

B. EXERCISES


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1. Read the following text and notice the use of the verbs in theConditional Sentences Type One.Are any of the following a problem for you? Losing things, being

interrupted, being unable to say no, deadlines, perfectionism, fatigue, a lack ofstamina or creativity, poor memory, no social life, an inability to relax, skippingmeals, lateness, difficulty in listening, no exercise, conflicting demands or afeeling that you are not rewarded enough?

If you are sensible, you will stop reading right now. This kind of socialsearching is bad for your mental health. But last week I found myself doing thistest which had been sent to me along with an invitation to attend a conferencecalled Stress Management for Women. Despite the fact that I never skip meals, Iam punctual and have no difficulty in saying no, my score put me in a categorythat said: Stress is a bigger problem than you may think. Enrol today to preventan unmanageable situation from developing.

If I am suffering from stress (which I doubt) then I blame the anti-stressindustry. Nearly every week there is a new stress conference, book, or statisticdesigned to frighten us thinking that we are dangerously stressed out and likely tobe laid low by a combination of heart attack, stroke, thyroid problems or worse.

The latest example of stress terror tactics comes from former funny manJohn Cleese. In the forword of the book Im Too Busy to Be Stressed, by HilaryJones, he writes: A lot of us can harbour a death-wish beneath our Im too busyto be stressed faade. If so, we ignore this book at our peril. Speak for yourself,John.

In the end, the only way to stop feeling stressed is to start feeling happy.And unfortunately that is not something that a book can ever teach you.

(Excerpt from the article When stress terror tactics are delivered by thebook, by Lucy Kellaway, Financial Times, February 17, 1997)

2. Imagine conditions for the following future-possible actions orsituations.

a. They will come to the party if you b. She will spend her holidays in the mountains if ...c. My parents will be happy if .d. We shall decide on this matter if the manager e. None of us will be on time if you f. Their children will be delighted if

3. Express hypotheses about the past, using the information below. Thefirst one has already been done for you.

a. I didnt have enough money, so I didnt go to Italy last summer. e.g. If I had had enough money, I would have gone to Italy last summer.b. I bought a new flat, so I was hard up.c. We went to Constanta, so we could see the Black Sea again.d. They didnt have a large house, so we decided to stay in a hotel.e. Georges father lent us his car, so we went sightseeing.f. The wheather was wonderful, so we had nothing to complain about.g. Georges parents told us to try something new, so we went boating.h. It started to rain, so we didnt enjoy our travel by boat.


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i. When we came back, Georges parents had prepared a surprise party forus, so we soon forgot all about the rain.

j. The next morning our holiday was over, so we had to come back toBucharest.

4. Put in the correct form of the verbs in brackets to express a pastpossibility that did not happen.

a. If they save money in the past, they (have) no financial problems today.b. If we (help) him in time, we (save) his life.c. They (come) earlier if they (know) how serious the situation was.d. I (sell) the car last year if I (know) the price of the oil would rise.e. If they (warm) me in time, I (not go) there.f. Suppose they (ask) for an appointment, you (agree) to speak to them?g. Suppose he (graduate) the University, he (become) a mathemetician?h. Supposing he (come), he (solve) the problem?i. Suppose you (know) that the inflation rate would increase, you (buy) a

new car last year?

5. Write unless instead of if and make any other necessary changes.a. The driver would have avoided the accident if he hadnt exceeded the

speed limit.b. If this restaurant hadnt changed the cook, we would have gone there to

celebrate our wedding anniversary.c. I shouldnt have told you this if I hadnt been sure of it.d. If he hadnt lied to me, I would have forgiven him.

6. Put the verbs into the appropriate tense.a. If they (play) .. better, they would have won the match.b. If I had known the answer, I (tell) .. you.c. Had you got up earlier, we (not miss) .. the train.d. I would have punished him if he (not apologise) .. .e. I (call

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